Three And Above

Boyhood  (2014) A Review by Grant Kanigan Directed by: Richard Linklater Written by: Richard Linklater Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette,               Ethan Hawke, Lorelei Linklater Rating: PG Release Date: July 26th, 2014 Ellar Coltrane, Lorelei Linklater & Ethan Hawke in Boyhood © 2014 - IFC Film      If there's one thing that Richard Linklater is, it's that he's interesting. A Scanner Darkly, School of Rock, Before Sunrise , and Fast Food Nation all have their own idiosyncrasies, and their own unique perspective on certain aspects of life. Even his bad films, (I still loathe Dazed & Confused ), have a certain je ne sais quoi about them. While all of his films haven't been groundbreaking, (he's nowhere near the same league as someone like Martin Scorsese), it's still refreshing to see a director continue to take artistic risks this late in his career. What a risk Boyhood is. ...

The Equalizer  (2014) A Review by Grant Kanigan Directed by: Antoine Fuqua  Written by: Richard Wenk, based on Michael Sloan                   and Richard Lindheim's TV series Starring: Denzel Washington,  Chloë Grace Moretz,               David Harbour, Martin Csokas Rating: 14A Release Date: September 24th, 2014 David Harbour and Denzel Washington in The Equalizer Photo by Scott Garfield - © 2013 CTMG  Sony Pictures Entertainment            Denzel Washington is one of the best actors of his generation. Becoming a master of his craft in films like Glory, Malcolm X, Philadelphia, The Siege, Training Day, American Gangster and a plethora of other classics, the man has been doing stellar work for nearly thirty years. Washington, much like Robert DeNiro, has the right to fall back on his reputation when necessary. DeNiro has...

Good Will Hunting  (1997) A Review by Grant Kanigan Directed by: Gus Van Sant Written by: Matt Damon & Ben Affleck Starring: Matt Damon, Robin Williams,              Ben Affleck, Stellan  Skarsgård Rating: PG Release Date: January 9, 1998 Robin Williams & Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting © 1997 Miramax Pictures       Good Will Hunting is one of those movies. A movie that seems like another run of the mill adult drama, about the throes of depression, haunting pasts and growing up in a cynical world. Yet, inhabited by the likes of Williams and Damon becomes so much more. Good Will Hunting isn't just cinema, it's an artistic expression of loneliness and love, that has the power to touch it's viewers at their very core;  Good Will Hunting is one of the best films ever made.       Good Will Hunting follows the eponymous Will. Bouncing from menial job to job and parole heari...

Obvious Child  (2014) A Review by Grant Kanigan Directed by: Gillian Robespierre Written by: Gillian Robespierre, Karen Maine                    & Elisabeth Holm Starring: Jenny Slate, Jake Lacy,                David Cross, Richard Kind Rating: PG Release Date: June 20th, 2014 Jenny Slate & Jake Lacy in Obvious Child © 2014 - A24       Obvious Child is one of the most daring films to have been released in years. It's a slow build that requires attention, patience and understanding. It's laughs don't start coming until after twenty minutes and it's ultimately a romantic comedy about one of the touchiest subjects in North America - abortion.       Obvious Child follows Donna Stern, (Jenny Slate); a stand up comedian by night and book store clerk by day, Stern makes enough of a living to survive happily in a small Williamsburg...

The Imitation Game  (2014) A Review by Grant Kanigan Directed by: Morten Tyldum Written by: Graham Moore, based on                    Andrew Hodges' book Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley,                Matthew Goode, Mark Strong Rating: PG Release Date: December 25th, 2014 Keira Knightley, Mark Strong & Benedict Cumberbatch in The Imitation Game © 2014 - The Weinstein Company      I've always thought that Benedict Cumberbatch was a decent actor. He's given some great performances in 12 Years a Slave, August: Osage County, Star Trek: Into Darkness , and was the only highlight of the poorly executed The Fifth Estate . Yet, it never really seemed like he was hitting his stride. Either the material lifted up his films or his films were lifted only by his presence. Finally, with The Imitation Game , a perfect match of talent, story an...

The Interview  (2014) A Review by Grant Kanigan Directed by:  Evan Goldberg & Seth Rogen Written By:  Dan Sterling, Seth Rogen                  & Evan Goldberg Starring: James Franco, Seth Rogen,                Randall Park, Lizzy Caplan                 Diana Bang Rating: 14A Release Date: December 25th, 2014 Diana Bang, Seth Rogen & James Franco in  The Interview © 2014 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved        Free speech is the cornerstone of democracy, no matter how dumb, offensive or misinformed it may be at times. If someone approaches you with an idiotic or misinformed opinion, approach them with yours. The truth prevails; like Evelyn Beatrice Hall wrote in her biography of Voltaire: "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right t...

Die Hard  (1988) A Review by Grant Kanigan Directed by:  John McTiernan Written By:  Jeb Stuart & Steven E. de Souza, based               on Roderick Thorp's novel. Starring: Bruce Willis, Reginald VelJohnson,               Alan Rickman Rating: R Release Date: July 20th 1988 Bruce Willis in  Die Hard © 2012 Getty Images      Many people have their favourites. The original Miracle on 34th St ., A Christmas Story, and even Elf are all classics of the holiday season. Yet, one film trumps them all. A Christmas movie so good it didn't even have to come out on Christmas. The film that made Reginald VelJohnson a star. The 1988 smash action hit Die Hard.      Arriving in LA for his wife's office Christmas party at the new Nakatomi Plaza office building, John McClane is a tough NYPD cop who's chilly demeanour is antithetical to the s...